MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Spending Memorial Day Weekend enjoying the sights, sounds, tastes and smells from our own backyard:

Harmon Brewery & Eatery might be known primarily for its beers, nachos and ski parties, but the downtown Tacoma joint also brings in the crowd every time blues acts set up in the corner. Yesterday, the South Sound Blues Association ran the blues portion of the Tacoma Jazz & Blues Festival at the Harmon - and once again the joint packed them in. Opening band Blues Buskers (pictured) set the tone with their award-winning talent.

The Swiss Pub is remodeling their gamerome to increase band-viewing floor space. Bench seating along the wall has replaced the tall tables. A pool table will be eliminated to make room by the far back wall for the video games.

Valhalla Coffee Roasters on Sixth Avenue in Tacoma have organized a row of trinkets to enjoy while pouring soy into your coffee.

Paratroopers are snagged in the ceiling fan at Puget Sound Pizza.

A little neighborhood has sprung up at the Woolworth Windows as part of Spaceworks Tacoma. Artist Gabriel Brown has created a town defined by Mountain Dew. Mr. Clean, Lipitor, Cheez-Its and many other items that have come to play a ventral role in American life.

Jazz should be performed in a darkly lit speakeasy, not at 2 p.m. in a huge, bright space dotted with rows of white plastic chairs. However, once again, the Tacoma Jazz and Blues Festival filled those chairs with those who dig big band. Roadside Attraction (pictured) blew the crowd away, as well as the tykes down the hall in the LEGO rooms.

Steph DeRosa and the girls hit the drag show at Jake's On 4th last night. They had to squeeze through the packed crowd to feel the feathers across their faces. The star of the night was Flirticia Fondue (apologize about the crappy iPhone photo).